Arc erosion behavior of La-doping titanium-zirconium-molybdenum alloy

La-doping titanium-zirconium-molybdenum alloys have good arc erosion resistance performances, but there is no research about the changes during the arc erosion. Arc erosion characteristics of La-doping titanium-zirconium-molybdenum alloys after 5000 operations under direct current 20 V, 15 A and resistive load conditions were investigated using a JF04C test system. The results indicated that the probability distribution and change trend of arc energy and arc time during 5000 operations were similar and the relationship between arc time and arc energy followed exponential function. The change of arc energy with test number was consistent to electrical resistance. Oxide particles, crater and cracks defects were discovered on the surface of La-doping titanium-zirconium-molybdenum alloy. The electrical resistance change is mainly concerned with the surface.